Advocacy

Lawmakers Begin 60 Day Session, Budget Tops AARP Legislative Agenda

Governor Steve Beshear and members of the General Assembly will debate issues ranging from education, expanded gambling, new sales tax, health insurance coverage to payday lending. And how to deal with another looming state budget crisis projected at $800 million dollars over the next two years.

AARP Kentucky’s top priority in the 2010 General Assembly is protecting existing funding for senior services provided by Area Agencies on Aging. With its statewide volunteers and supporters, AARP will continue the push to keep the state’s aging services (Department of Aging and Independent Living) exempt from another round of budget cuts.

Two economic security bills are part of AARP’s 2010 legislative priorities focusing on consumer protection.

Representative Jim Glenn (Owensboro) is expected to file a bill to cap payday lending type loans at 36%. Payday lenders offer quick cash to consumers well above market rates. Seniors running short at the end of the month are often targeted because the lenders know their tax return or SSI checks are in the mail.

AARP welcomes new citizen advocates to work with state office in the 2010 General Assembly. Volunteer citizen advocate training and information are available from AARP by sending an email to kyaarp@aarp.org. Visit AARP Kentucky’s website for updates during the General Assembly. And the Kentucky Legislature Web page is updated daily to give citizens the latest legislative updates.

AARP encourages citizens to be active and contact their state lawmakers. The Kentucky’s General Assembly also offers toll-free phone lines to help citizens across the state follow legislative action and offer their input.

Think about it, Talk about it, Take action:

Talk about it with family and friends

Write a “Letter to the Editor” of your hometown newspaper

Call the Governor, your Senator and Representative—ask them to protect aging services from more budget cuts in the 2010 General Assembly.

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